Chapter 16

"I hope you realize that if you don't fulfill our agreement, I will rebel on the first occasion," said the white-haired harpy, the witch, in an emotionless tone.

It was just her and me, alone behind the curtains, backstage on the big stage.

Because of their vocal ability to emit various frequencies, harpies are also very good singers. And one of the buildings built in their nests was precisely a stage where they usually hold meetings and presentations.

"I'll barely be gone and you're already missing me? So sweet," I said with a slight smile to my new source of amusement, the queen of the harpies.

After our first date and making sure I made a good impression on her, we came to a sort of agreement. She would follow my instructions for the time being and see what I could do for her and her daughters.

She would act like a pseudo subordinate until I proved whether or not I was trustworthy.

I won the title of king and she was recognized as queen. In total, I had 5,000 harpies loyal to me, against only 1,500 of hers. She didn't have much choice in the matter.

"If you walked down a road, tripped, and fell headfirst into a rock --- I would hope for the rock's sake."

So cold, I smiled to myself as I realized something.

I liked the challenge.

Though she tried to hide it, I know that at least our little squabble in the throne room left an impression on her. I should be thanking someone for certain moves as they were indeed very helpful.

Before I could continue my taunts, a teenage voice rang out, "Mothe--I mean- My queen," Lya bows briefly to the white-kimono-clad harpy, before sending me a sour look.

"What's it?" I ask with a silly smile, before raising both my hands towards her and wiggling my fingers, saying, "Should I use my secret technique to earn some respect? I'd love to--"

Lya's face fills with horror and she runs to hide behind the white kimono-clad harpy with a huge blush, "Stay away from me you pervert."

The queen doesn't say anything and just gives me a serene look as if to ask --- Why were you teasing Lya?

Unlike Lya, who had a rebellious and hot-tempered personality, the queen had a much more elegant and restrained demeanor. But what the two had in common was the difficulties of showing their true emotions.

Ironically, in addition to being related by blood, the two were both teacher and student.

Before my arrival, she was training Lya to be her successor.

"Hahaha. It was just a joke. Don't worry about it," I say, laughing casually as I scratch the back of my neck carelessly.

The queen looks at me like she doesn't believe it.

And that's when my personality completely changed.

I straightened my posture and said in a cool tone, "I hope you can control your subordinates in the future. I would hate to be on a bad day and accidentally teach them some good manners."

The warning had been given.

After a short while, the queen decided to say, "Lya".

"Yea?"

"I ask that you treat this man with respect from now on. He is your king."

"Impossible. He wishes to corrupt you, my queen," Lya grips the hem of the queen's kimono and says inspiringly, "It's my duty to prevent his evil plans from happening. Who knows what kind of perversions he has in store for the future? "

"You will respect him or I myself will allow him to discipline you," said the queen to the black-haired harpy's great astonishment.

"I-I understand," Lya stutters, then gives me a troubled look and says hesitantly, "I apologize for my attitudes - er - m-my king."

I nod my head in acceptance.

Make no mistake, I wasn't so petty as to want unbridled submission. But what I did was for what I understood of harpy society.

In addition to being beings naturally born for carnal pleasures, they also recognize their leaders for their strength and wisdom.

I could put up with some cold comments from my beautiful queen, of course, as long as it didn't go too far... But it would not suit my image as a king to allow a subordinate to openly disrespect me.

Currently, the harpies, who are loyal to me, are due to my demonstration of having defeated so many of them at the same time and mainly for their high libidos and desire to feel that same pleasure again. I had to show strength and wisdom from now on, so that they would respect me in that aspect too.

"I came here to say the stage is all yours, my queen and --er-- my king," Lya said awkwardly.

"Alright, I'll go first." The white-haired harpy turns to me and says, "I going to make the introductions and ask you for a speech."

"Perfect," I flash a teasing smile and say, "Why not a smile for your handsome king?"

Hearing the word 'handsome', her brows draw together briefly, but she decides to just turn her back and leave me alone backstage with Lya.

So cold. I couldn't wait to melt all that ice.

"Tsk," Lya tries to be discreet but I can see clearly that she doesn't like my attempts at flirting with the queen.

"Anything to say to me?"

Surprised by my question and coming out of her own thoughts...

"Huh? No-I mean," Lya fumbles, now that she's forbidden to show her displeasure with me openly… She didn't know what to say or how to behave. "I -- well-umm--"

She continues for an indeterminate amount of time talking incoherently until I lose my patience and decide to act...

I held my hand out in the air towards her, before wiggling my fingers in a perverted way and smiling.

Her reaction was funny and soon she runs away from here.

Provoking that mother/daughter or teacher/student duo is too good.

Amusements aside, it was time for me to declare my future goals for this race.

From the stage, my name was called and from behind the curtain, I emerged.

The place is very different from human constructions. Although it was a performance stage, the audiences were actually branches of giant trees where several harpies stand and look at the stage on a swing attached to the trunk of the big tree.

We were more than 50 meters off the ground.

No human would have the courage to stand in this audience, for they didn't have the same harpy balance that seemed to share the ability of all birds to balance themselves in high, narrow places.

The audience's scream was very loud. After all, harpies were still harpies and were absurdly noisy.

Many of them screamed and confessed their love for me.

"Ahem," I called their attention and said, "Thank you for all your love and dedication, my beautiful ladies."

The effect was instantaneous, many of them were elated by my sweet words.

I didn't mind their side conversations and continued, "But unfortunately as your new king I must give you good news and bad."

The noise level has drastically reduced and I said.

"I gonna say the bad first. Although considering it bad isn't true, because it's actually a big step forward" I say the next words loud and clear, "Any and all kidnappings of men from now on are strictly prohibited."

From the audience, I hear several noises until a voice shouted saying.

"Bullshit! How will our race survive if we don't reproduce?" It was a pink-haired harpy who hadn't witnessed my abilities.

"As your king, of course I have solutions for all of this. Don't worry, I will guarantee the future of the next generations."

I intended to demonstrate to them the wonders of modern medicine. In my past world, the knowledge that a single man could easily populate the whole earth is well known.

Artificial insemination would solve their need to desperately search for mates to reproduce.

I didn't want any other outside men to get involved with them, as my future goals depended on us maintaining unity. When we grew stronger and revealed ourselves to the world, there would surely be those who would try to infiltrate my ranks through them.

Not to mention that I didn't want to be the leader of a race that commits heinous acts like rap3. So there should be changes.

However, my words were completely misunderstood...

"Kyaaaaaa," cried a harpy in excitement as she shook her head from side to side in euphoria, "Our king says he will personally guarantee our breeding."

"Surely he is a man among men. Separated into distinct categories," said another harpy with flushed cheeks. "He cannot be described in the category of mortals. He is a lion among hyenas and wolves."

Some harpies became dizzy and lost their balance on the branches, passed out.

"Watch out!" Some of them shouted as they flew to rescue their sisters from their mortal fall.

The only ones who didn't understand these strange behaviors were those who didn't witness that day.

After controlling the situation, I say with a sweat running down my neck, "Now..."

They all watch me closely and silently.

"The good news is that if you girls follow my orders, I will lead you to a new level of power in this world. In return, I expect your sincere and true loyalty. Be my instruments and I will give you the unimaginable."

The smiles and applause of emotion rippled throughout the audience.

Until one word sounded in unison...

King.

King.

King.

...

"Phew," I breathe a sigh of relief now that I find myself on the kuoh streets again.

Addressing my new people had been a lot harder than I thought. Harpies are very energetic and passionate.

I was hungry as I had avoided eating the supplies Hikimage had left in the bag as much as possible. I ate only the fruits my lovely new subjects had in store for me.

After securing a meal at a small stall on the street, I proceed towards home.

I needed to tread carefully and therefore had all the spells ready for battle.

Fortunately my subjects sewed new clothes for me, otherwise, I would be the butt of jokes in the streets. My old shirts were torn in the dome, fighting. And I must be grateful that my wounds are already healed due to my passive magic.

I cautiously approach the neighborhood and use [Mirror of Adonis] to look as inconspicuous as possible. Normal humans who walked the streets had a slight compulsion to ignore me.

I wasn't afraid to use my spells this way as they didn't have any alarming visual effects and there was no mana fluctuation so it's safe from detection.

On the facade of my house, I look through the windows and see the figure of Mr. Sato. Sitting in a chair, he had a haggard figure and appeared to be making several phone calls.

After my disappearance for nearly two days, it was inevitable that this would happen. So I didn't bother to spend an extra day to sort things out with my subjects.

A day more or less wouldn't change the fact that I had already been reported missing.

All I could do now is work on damage control.